Kodai Senga Looked Like The Real Deal

In the top of the eighth inning of the World Baseball Classic semi-final Tuesday night between Japan and the U.S., Japanese relief pitcher Kodai Senga gave up an RBI fielder’s choice to Adam Jones that plated Brandon Crawford and put the Americans up 2-1. Third baseman Nobuhiro Matsuda bobbled the ball on the wet…

Read more…

Powered by WPeMatico

Dan Duquette: Orioles Fans Hate Jose Bautista, Prefer "Working Class" Players

Over the summer, Orioles general manager Dan Duquette told then-free agent outfielder Jose Bautista that the O’s weren’t in a position to sign him because of how despised he is by Baltimore fans. In an interview with MLB.com yesterday, Duquette reiterated that theory and went one step further, explaining specifically…

Read more…

Powered by WPeMatico

Matt Davidson May Be Part Of The White Sox's Designated Hitter Rotation

One open question for the Chicago White Sox this spring has been just what they’ll do about their situation at designated hitter, given that they don’t have a single player ideally suited to seize the role full-time. With Opening Day approaching, it appears they’ll be going with a committee, reports Scot Gregor of the Daily Herald

Read more…

Powered by WPeMatico

The Marlins' Spring Training Inspiration Included Smashing A Cinderblock On Don Mattingly's Chest

The Marlins have had a hell of an offseason—grappling with the September death of their best player, José Fernández, coupled with a series of rather insane political and business rumors about team owner and disgusting rich person Jeffrey Loria. So it’s perhaps not surprising that they felt the need to try something…

Read more…

Powered by WPeMatico

Hawk Harrelson To Remain Face Of White Sox Even After Retirement

For years, broadcaster Hawk Harrelson has been the face of the Chicago White Sox. Players have come and players have gone, the Sox have been up and they’ve been down, but even more than a Mark Buehrle cutter or a Frank Thomas home run, Harrelson’s unique passion and commitment have defined the South Siders to the rest…

Read more…

Powered by WPeMatico

Investigators: José Fernández Was Intoxicated And Driving Boat At Top Speed In Fatal Crash

José Fernández was the operator of the boat that crashed into a jetty in the early hours of September 25, 2016, killing him and two friends, Eduardo Rivero and Emilio Macias instantly, according to the investigation report released this morning by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The full report…

Read more…

Powered by WPeMatico

Cody Asche Is Coming On Strong For The White Sox

While top prospect Yoan Moncada will get a lot of deserved attention for smacking his first longball of the spring today, there was other dong-related news out of the Chicago White Sox’s 7-3 win over the Kansas City Royals. Cody Asche crushed a big home run—his third this spring—as a designated hitter. CSN’s Dan Hayes…

Read more…

Powered by WPeMatico

Javier Baez Started Celebrating This Tag Before He Even Caught The Ball

Puerto Rico beat the Dominican Republic 3-1 this evening in both teams’ first second-round game. Yadier Molina drove in two runs and five Puerto Rican pitchers kept the WBC’s best offense very quiet. Puerto Rico’s defense came up big all game, starting with Eddie Rosario’s rocket of a throw in the first inning.

Read more…

Powered by WPeMatico

The Long Slog Of The Cuban Baseball Player Smuggling Trial Is Nearly Over

After six grueling weeks of testimony, both sides delivered their closing arguments today in the criminal trial of two men charged with conspiracy and human smuggling for their part in getting Cuban baseball players into the United States. Federal prosecutors in Miami reiterated today their point that the two men…

Read more…

Powered by WPeMatico

How Craig Breslow Used Science To Engineer His Way Back To The Majors

Craig Breslow is a little surprised that the media has made such a big deal out of his offseason reinvention. After a decade of pitching effectively in the major leagues, 2016 saw him demoted to the minors in May and released by two different teams before the season’s end. The way he looked at it, if he didn’t want to…

Read more…

Powered by WPeMatico

White Sox Face Tough Choices In Center Field

Presumptive White Sox Opening Day center fielder Charlie Tilson will be out for at least three more weeks with a stress reaction in his foot, the team said yesterday. It’s just the latest setback for the Wilmette native, who singled in his major-league debut last August, then promptly injured himself while diving for…

Read more…

Powered by WPeMatico

Scott Podsednik To Teach White Sox How To Play The Game The Right Way

According to an article over at MLB.com, running under the dubious headline “Podsednik has much to offer as guest instructor,” Scott Podsednik, who in one of the two decent years he had in his major-league career was arguably one of the dozen best players on the 2005 Chicago White Sox team that won the World Series,…

Read more…

Powered by WPeMatico

Lawyer Who Prepared Documents For Smuggled Cuban Players Shocked Smuggling Took Place

Sports agent Bartolo Hernandez and baseball trainer Julio Estrada could learn their fates early this week. The defense rested on Friday without either Florida man taking the stand to refute criminal charges that they conspired with human smugglers to transport baseball players out of Cuba for a cut of lucrative…

Read more…

Powered by WPeMatico

Yadier Molina Criticizes WBC Security After Team Puerto Rico Clears Dugout To Investigate Fight In Stands

After Team Puerto Rico cleared its dugout and bullpen to investigate a fan fight the stands of their World Baseball Classic game last night, catcher Yadier Molina has been pointed with his criticism of security.

Read more…

Powered by WPeMatico